The Rome Boulevard Road Race drew close to 500 participants for its Oct. 4 five-mile race and two-mile run/walk at Attleboro High School. Those numbers are pretty impressive for the organizers, who started the race just a few years ago with the intent of creating a fundraiser for the schools, but who have since expanded the event to make it a true community fundraiser.

Over the years, race director Jim Hawkins and the students and teachers who work on the race have been clear not to try to re-create the race's longstanding predecessor, the Ro-Jack's Run for Good Health.

While the five-miler travels over much of the same course, the race is less of the spectacle that Ro-Jack's had turned into, and organizers have instead stayed true to their community roots.

What impressed me on race morning was seeing the participation of so many students. Besides Attleboro High School students, a strong contingent from St. John's School in Attleboro, who used the race to kick off its wellness week, and students from the OneFan project - a cooperative fundraising venture among Attleboro, North Attleboro and Bishop Feehan high school students - also participated before, during and after the race. For example, the North Attleboro High School girls' cross-country team ran the race as part of their workout, and many other students at all the schools played integral roles in the preparation for the race.

The OneFan project proves that rivals can work together for the common good. For those not aware, the ongoing project raises money for area food pantries, as well as for the Tedesco Memorial Christmas Dinner. Such efforts are proof that Hawkins and his fellow organizers are on the right track when they stress the community aspect of the race. Congrats on pantry's 10thCongratulations go out to the Hebron Food Pantry for 10 years of serving the public. Since its beginnings as the Hebron Village Outreach Center a decade ago, the organization has moved to the Centenary United Methodist Church in Attleboro's downtown, and its two food pantries for working people and senior citizens have steadfastly met the needs of the community. The pantry will officially mark its 10th anniversary with a ceremony from 5 to 6 Friday evening. Here's hoping that the pantry will continue to get the kind of support it needs to carry out its mission as long as necessary.

A walk for hungerAnother laudable effort that has been a steady presence in Attleboro is the annual CROP Walk for Hunger, which will take place at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Capron Park. It is one of the major fundraisers for the Attleboro Council of Churches' food pantries, and many area churches are involved.

The walk is a reminder, as if any were needed, that in this economy, such efforts never can be taken for granted.

Join the Gourmet GuysYou'll read a lot more about this event in our Community section as the date gets closer, but one of the fundraisers that I make sure to be a part of will mark two decades Nov. 20. That Friday night will be a special one for the Gourmet Guys, who once again will put their culinary skills to the ultimate test - paying customers - for a cause that is more vital than ever: aiding New Hope.

If you've read the newspapers lately, you're well aware that there has been a spike in serious domestic violence cases against women - and that means that New Hope needs your financial help more than ever.

Gourmet Guys is one of the Attleboro-based agency's principal fundraisers. This year's event will take place at 7 p.m. at the Attleboro Lodge of Elks, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and children. To order tickets by Friday, Nov. 13, send an RSVP to Amanda Nelson at New Hope, 140 Park St., Attleboro, MA 02703, or go to the Web site, www.new-hope.org.

If you're a guy and you can boil water, you can cook for this inspiring event. Join the effort to help New Hope combat what unfortunately is a sickening problem that has been exacerbated in this terrible economy. I promise you that you won't regret it.

LARRY KESSLER is a Sun Chronicle news editor who can be reached at lkessler@thesunchronicle.com.